Device for unloading cars.



No. 768,006. PATENTED AUG. 16, 1904'.

' W. F. TRAVES.

DEVICE FOR UNLOADING CARS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 24, 1903.

no MODEL. s SHEETS-SHEBTL Tmljve moos. PATENTED AUG.16,1904

W.F.TR'AVES.Y

V DEVICE FOR UNLOADING CARS.

APPLICATION IILIGD JAN. 24, 1903 IO- IODEL. BSEEETS-SHBET 2. l

@g QJi,

PATENTED AUG. 16, 1904.

W. F. TRAVES; DEVICE FOR UNLOADING (JARS.

APPLICATION IILED'JAK. 24, 19 03.

6 BHEETS-SHBET 4.

NO-HODEL.

UNI-TED STATES Patented August 16, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

WEBsTEE F.-;TRAVES, or CLEVELAND, omo, ASSIGNOR TO THE BROWN HOISTING MACHINERY COMPANY, or CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORA- TION OF DELAWARE,

DEVICE FOR UNLOADING CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 768,006, dated August 16, 1904.

Application filed January 24, 1903. Serial No. 140,404. (No model.)

citizen of the United States, and a-resident of Cleveland, county of Guyahoga, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and-useful Improvement in Devices for Unloading are, of-

which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in whichI have contemplated'applying that principle so as to distinguish it fromother inventions.

My invention relates to devices for unload mg cars, and is particularly adapted for use in unloading grain from what is known as box-cars.

The invention has for its object the unload- 1 mg of cars ina quick, economical, and efficient manner; and it consists ofrneans here.-

inafter fully described, and particularly set forth in the claims.

The annexed drawings and thefollowing dej scription set forth in detail certain mechan. ism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting butone of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the I invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings, Figure I represents a side elevation of an unloading device embodying my invention as applied to grain unloading and showing a v box car secured thereon and ready for the operation of unloading. Fig. 11 represents an end elevation of said device and car with certain parts omitted. Fig. III represents an elevation of that portionof the device omitted from Fig; 11, show-- ing a part of the remainder and a car in dotted lines to indicate the relationship of such parts. Fig. 1V represents a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. IIL together with related parts and a car in dottedlines. Fig. V represents a side elevation of a structure embodying my said invention, showing a series of grain-bins, a rail-bed and track, and an approach trestle and track for conducting cars to the said structure.

A base-truck A is provided with traction- -wheels a, running upon a track B, which flanks a series of grain-bins C. Upon the truck is I mounted an engine A, which operates one set oftraction-wheels through suitable gearing, as shown in Fig. II, such arrangement being but one of various well-known arrangements for effecting the traction'of a structure along atrack. This engine is controlled from a convenient point in the structure, as will be readily understood.- Secured to this truck are two upright standards D D, provided at the top )with bearings d d for two trunnions e e, se-

cured to and forming a transverse oscillatory :axis for a frame E.. To the under surface of this frame'are secured two large gear-segments E E, Figs. 1 and II. Mounted'upon the lower portion of the standards D are two transverse shafts (Z (Z, each carrying two pinions CZ CZ, fwhich mesh with the segments E.

These shafts are each provided at one end with a bevel-gear d engaged on similar sides by a i bevel-pinion (1 so as to be capable of rotation These pinions are -mounted upon a crank-shaft d, rotated by a reversible double-cylinder engine D.

in the same direction.

able cross-bracing is provided for properly strengthening ,the segments, and intermedi- 1 ately of the segments and standards are mounted a number of friction-rollers d to prevent any lateral movement of the segments. It is thus seen that the frame may be oscillated in longitudinal planes about its oscillatory axis.

Upon the upper portion of the frame E are a series of transverse bearing-surface plates 0, having their central portion grooved and formed with rack-teeth. Each end of each such bearing-surface is provided with a fixed stop Upon the surfaces of these plates are mounted a series of rockers F, braced and connected to form a cradle, each formed with gearteeth f and curved bearing-surfaces f on each side of same. Thebearing-surfaces f rest upon the bearing-surfaces of plates 6, and the teeth of the latter engage the gear-teeth f. Upon the upper portion of these rockers are secured the rails of a'longitudinal track F of standard gage for receiving a car G. The track and cradles are suitably braced, so as to form a strong structure, serving as a wheel- Suitbase for the car. This wheel-base, it will be I seen, may be caused to rock or oscillate upon the rockers and in transverse planes, such rocking movement being limited by the stops (1, whereby it may, by reason of the oscillatory construction of frame E, which supports it, be tilted both longitudinally and laterally at the same time, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figs. I and H. v

Upon one leg of one of the standards D is secured ahanger H, in which is slidably mounted a bolt /2 which is adapted to engage the space between any-two of the teeth of the adjacent segment E. This bolt is operated to so engage said segments or to disengage same by means of a lever 7t, suitably connected therewith. By means of this boltit is seen that the frame E may be locked in a various number of angular positions or locked in a horizontal position, as shown.

Projecting from each side of the wheel-base is a beam F to each of which is secured the end of a cable 1. which passes down and is secured to a drum-F operated by an engine F.

At each end of the wheel-base and in the central portion thereof-is pivoted a post F", which may be raised into the path of the car, caused to contact the ends of the latter, and so prevent longitudinal displacement thereof after the device is tilted. 'These posts are oper ated to perform'such function by cables f attached thereto, running over suitably-located idle pulleys and attached to a drum f. This drum is operated by a suitable engine F.

Near each end and upon opposite sides of the track on the wheel-base are secured four upright rigid posts F F. Each post is provided with a screw-shaft f, operated by a hand-wheel f and adapted at its inner end to contact the adjacent side of the car and clamp" the latter, so as to secure same against lateral displacement when the device is tilted.

Upon the lower side of the wheel-base are secured two beams 7t- 7a, which extend laterally therefrom, as shown in Figs. III and IV. Upon the ends of these beams is secured a frameK, consisting of cross-pieces 7; 7;, angularly-mounted upright posts la /t and crossbraces 73 These posts are provided with a runway for a longitudinally-slidable bar K, provided upon its upper surface with a rack in. This rack is engaged by a pinion Z2 secured to a crank-shaft 71, mounted in suitable bearings in the frame. At the inner end of said bar is secured a flat diaphragm K, of wood, having the same angularity as has the bar K. This angularity is made substantially equal to that of a line drawn from one end of one door in'a boX-car to the opposite end of the other door of such car. Such diaphragm is given a height from the wheel-base substantially such that its lower end shall be in the same plane with the bottom of the car, sufiicient clearance being allowed to permit the diaphragm to be readily moved. It is thus seen that the diaphragm may be inserted in the car through one door and caused to divide its interior into two trapezoidal compartments, each of which is in communication with one door and cut off from such communication with the other, as shown in Fig. IV.

The engines above mentioned may be operated by compressed air supplied from some suitable source through properly located and arranged ducts, or they may be operated by steam generated in a boiler L, located upon the truck A, as shown in Fig. V, and suitably connected therewith, all of which will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

In operating the above-described device the structure is first moved up to the trestle, as shown in said Fig. V, so as to cause the track F to abut the trestle-track. The car to be unloaded is now moved up the trestle onto the track F, whereupon the posts F'" are raised so as to contact the cars ends, and so prevent longitudinal movement thereof on said track. The screws f are then caused to secure the car laterally, as shown in Fig. II. The structure is now transported along track B to the point of unloading, so as to bring the car-door opposite a suitable hopper provided at such point and shown in dotted lines in said Fig. I1. Engine 1) is now operated to tilt the frame E and wheel-base longitudinally toward the right, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. I. The frame and base are then locked in this position by means of bolt lt. Engine F* is now operated to tilt the wheel-base laterally toward the chute. The car-door is now opened sufiicientl y to admit the diaphragm K, which is shoved into the car and assumes the position shown in Fig. 1V. Upon opening the door wide the contents of the upper hall of the car are discharged, the diaphragm diverting such contents through the limited area represented by the door. In order to discharge the contents of the other side, the car is tilted in the opposite'direction and the opposite door opened, a suitable hopper being provided for receiving same. If it is desired to unload the entire contents on the same side of the track, a second diaphragm may be pro vided, mounted and constructed in a manner similar to that describcd,but located upon the other side of the door and having the opposite inclination, as will be readily seen. A diaphragm construction may also be provided in which a single dia iihragm may be given the opposite inclinations.

Any suitable means for retracting the oscillatory posts F may be used. I have shown for this purpose a rope F, secured thereto, passing over a suitable pulley mounted at a convenient point, and a weight F", secured to the ropes end.

Other modes of applying the principle ol my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any one of thelollowing claims or theequivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and dis tinctly claim as my invention v 1. The combination with a car carrier mounted so as to be capable of tilting a car, of means separate from the car for diverting the contents of the car out of the latter, while the car is on such 021.11161, toward a given means inclined relatively-to the directionof tilting, arranged to divert the cars contents, whilesuch car is on said carrier, toward given area within its interior. I

4:. The combination with a carcarrier mounted SOflSlJObGfOflPfilQlG of tilting a car, of

means'within a car. and separate from the ranged to divert the car s contents out of the same, while the latter is on such carrier, arcartoward a given openingin its walls.

' 5. The combination with a car carrier mounted so as to be capable of tilting a car, of means. mounted-upon 'such carrier inclined relativelyto the direction of such tilting and arranged to divert the contentsof a car while the latter is on such carrier andinatilted position. I

.6. The combination. with a car.- carrier mounted so as to be capable of tilting a car, of means mounted upon such carrier inclined relatively to the direction of such tilting and arranged to divert the contents of a car while the latteris on such carrier and in a tilted position, such diverting means being movable into-and. out of the car. I 1 "7. The combination with a car-carrier having two planes of oscillatory movement angus larly related to each'other, of means for diverting' the cars contents toward a given area in the side of such car.

. 8. The combination with a car-carrier having two planes of oscillatory movement angularly related, to each other, of means mounted upon such carrier fordiverting the cars contents toward a given area in-th'e side of 'such car.

9. The combination with a car-carrier havingetwo planes ofoscillatory movement angularly related to each other, of a diaphragm mounted upon such carrier for diverting the cars contents toward a given ar-eain the side of such car.

10. The combination with a car-carrier hav ing two planes of oscillatory movement angularly related to each other, of means for divertingthe cars contents toward a given area in the side of such car, such means being arranged to be secured in an angular position in thecars interion 11. The combination with a car-carriehhaving two planes of oscillatory movement angu-- larly related relatively to each other. of adiaphragm mounted upon such carrier, and arranged to be inserted in thecar so as 'to 'assur'ne an angular position across the latter.

12. The combination with asupport'having an oscillatory movement andarranged to receive acar, of means separate from-such car for diverting the contents ofthe latter toward a given opening in the car-walls and out of the car.

13. The combination'with a support having an oscillatory movement and arranged: to receive a car, of a diaphragm extending: transversely of its interior. 1

14. The combination with a support having a an oscillatory movement and arranged to receive a car, .of a diaphragm extending upwardly from the door and across such -car.-

15. The combination with a support having an oscillatory movement and'arranged toreceive acar, ofa-diaphragm extending across the cars interior in an inclined direction relatively to such-car. g

16. The combination with a support arranged totilt a-car,- of adiaphragm movable into-and out of such can 17. he combination with a'supportarrangedto a tilt a car, off a diaphragm mounted so as'to be movabletransversely of such support.... H s

18. The combination with a support arranged to tilt a car, of a diaphragm mounted so as to be movable transversely of such support and in a direction inclined relatively thereto.

.19. The combination-with a wheel-base having a lateral oscil'latorymovemen't, of a diaphragm mounted upon such base and movable transversely of same. I v

20.. The combination with a Wheel-base hav ing an oscillatory mo'vement,- of a diaphragm mounted upon such base, movable transverselyof same and arranged to assume aninclined position over said base.

21. The combination with a wheel-base hav- 1ng an oscillatory movement, of a diaphragm angularlymounted upon such base and ar- '-ranged to be movable longitudinally of itself.

22. The combination of a wheel-base having an oscillatory movement, a frame secured to suchbase, a movable bar mounted upon such frame in a position angular relatively to saidwheel-base', a diaphragm secured to the end of said bar ataheight such as ,to be capable of insertion into-a car-door. r 23. The combination of a wheel-base osci'llatorily mounted, a support for such base oscillatorily-mounted and means separate from a car for diverting the latters contents toward ITO latorily mounted, a support for such base oscillatorily mounted and a diaphragm supported by such base and arranged to be moved into and out of a car on such base.

26. The combination of a Wheel-base oscillatorily mounted, a support for such base oscillatorily mounted, and a diaphragm supported by such base and arranged to be moved into and out of a car on such base and to assume a position therein inclined relatively to the car.

27. In means for unloading cars, a carrier comprising the combination of a base, an oscillatory frame mounted upon said base and provided With transverse bearing-surfaces and a cradle provided with a series of curved rockers resting upon said transverse bearingsurfaces.

28. In means for unloading cars, a carrier comprising the combination of a base, an oscillatory frame mounted upon said base and provided with transverse bearing-snrlaces, a cradle provided with a series of curved rockers resting upon said transverse bearing-surfaces, and means for securing a car upon said cradle against longitudinal and transverse displacement.

29. In means for unloading cars, a carrier comprising the combination of a base, a frame mounted upon trunnions supported upon said base, two gear-segments secured to said frame, pinions engaging said segments and mounted upon said frame and a bolt mounted upon the latter for engaging one of said segments to lock same.

Signed by me this 17th day 01 Januar \VEBSTER F. TRAVES. Attest:

D. T. DAVIES, A. E. MERKEL. 

